The Lakers emerged victorious in three out of four encounters against the Pelicans this season, setting the stage for their upcoming clash in the first game of the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament scheduled for Tuesday. Their latest triumph came in the season’s final game, where Los Angeles outplayed New Orleans with a scoreline of 124-108, securing their position for the No. 7 vs. No. 8 match to be held in New Orleans. Despite a challenging season finale for Zion Williamson, who managed only 12 points after averaging an impressive 27.1 points over his preceding 10 games, Brandon Ingram’s return added a new dimension to the Pelicans’ lineup. Ingram contributed 13 points in 23 minutes of play after a three-week absence due to a knee injury, prompting speculation among NBA DFS enthusiasts about his impact on lineup selections.
The reintroduction of Ingram into the Pelicans’ lineup significantly alters the landscape for NBA DFS players. With Williamson thriving in Ingram’s absence, there are questions about whether Ingram’s return will diminish Williamson’s value as a potential NBA DFS selection. In another matchup set for Tuesday, the Kings will host the Warriors in the second play-in game. Despite Domantas Sabonis leading the NBA with 26 triple-doubles, his performances against the Warriors lacked such achievements across their four encounters. This raises doubts among daily Fantasy basketball players about including Sabonis in NBA DFS lineups on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings.
Before finalizing NBA DFS picks, it’s advisable to consult expert insights and analysis. SportsLine’s Mike McClure, a seasoned DFS professional with a career winnings tally exceeding $2 million, offers valuable guidance. McClure utilizes a sophisticated prediction model that conducts 10,000 simulations for every minute of each game, considering various factors such as matchups, statistical trends, and injuries. This approach enables him to identify optimal NBA DFS values and craft winning lineups exclusively available on SportsLine, making it an essential resource for NBA DFS enthusiasts.
In McClure’s recent picks, he singled out Raptors forward RJ Barrett as a top choice in his NBA DFS player pool across both FanDuel and DraftKings. Barrett’s performance validated McClure’s recommendation, as he notched 23 points, four rebounds, and four assists, delivering 33.5 points on DraftKings and 31.8 points on FanDuel. Those who included Barrett in their lineups were handsomely rewarded, illustrating the value of McClure’s insights for achieving success in NBA DFS.